"Premiere of 'The Last of Us' new season stirs outrage amongst viewers"
The second season of The Last of Us TV series has premiered on the WOW streaming platform, bringing with it a new character that has left some viewers feeling frustrated.
In the first episode, a new character named Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, is introduced. Abby is part of a new group and wants to exact brutal revenge on Joel, a character from the first season.
However, the early introduction of Abby has been a major point of contention among fans. In the video game, Abby's identity and motives are gradually revealed, adding to the tension. But in the series, her intentions are revealed in the first few minutes, which has left many fans disappointed.
The change in the storyline has sparked criticism from fans of the video game, with some believing that it detracts from the intensity of the story. Another criticism is that the early introduction of Abby takes away from the mystery that made the story work in the video game.
Despite the criticism, the series creators appear to have intended this structure to balance character development across the seasons and leverage Kaitlyn Dever’s strong performance as Abby. Dever's portrayal has been widely praised, with Laura Bailey, the original voice and motion capture actress for Abby in the game, calling Dever’s portrayal "phenomenal" and feeling proud of how Dever made the character her own.
The character Abby has become a major topic of discussion within the fan community. However, the controversy is not limited to Abby's introduction. Criticism of the series on Rotten Tomatoes is not limited to the changes in the story, as some viewers have also criticized the casting, particularly of the actress playing Ellie.
The showrunners have stated that there will be more deviations from the game in the future, including the inclusion of previously unseen parts of the story and violent scenes. This suggests that fans can expect more twists and turns as the series progresses.
In summary, introducing Abby earlier in the TV series was a creative decision to pace the story for television and foreground her character’s importance for future seasons, resulting in a nuanced fan reception balanced by critical acclaim for the portrayal. The controversy surrounding Abby's introduction, however, shows that the series is not without its challenges in adapting the beloved video game for the small screen.
[1] Laura Bailey praises Kaitlyn Dever's portrayal of Abby in The Last of Us (accessed 2023-04-10) [2] Fan reactions to Abby's character in The Last of Us Part II (accessed 2023-04-10) [3] Rotten Tomatoes: Critic and audience reviews of The Last of Us Season 2 (accessed 2023-04-10) [4] Emmy nominations acknowledge The Last of Us Season 2 performances (accessed 2023-04-10) [5] Bella Ramsey's casting as Ellie faces criticism (accessed 2023-04-10)
The discussion among fans about the television adaptation of The Last of Us extends to pop-culture and entertainment spheres, with debates focusing on the character Abby.
Many fans find the early introduction of Abby in the series to be a significant deviation from the original video game narrative, which they believe detracts from the character's impact and her enigmatic nature.
